Pulmonary tuberculosis: a public health problem amongst the Saharia, a primitive tribe of Madhya Pradesh, Central India.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease amongst the Saharia, a 'primitive' tribe of Madhya Pradesh, Central India.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional TB prevalence survey was undertaken in the Saharia, a 'primitive' tribal community of Madhya Pradesh. A representative random sample of villages predominated by tribal populations was chosen from the selected block of Sheopur District. All eligible individuals were screened for chest symptoms related to TB. Sputum samples were collected from all eligible individuals, transported to the laboratory, and examined by Ziehl-Neelsen smear microscopy and solid media culture methods.

Results: Of the 11,468 individuals eligible for screening, 11,116 (96.9%) were screened for symptoms. The overall prevalence of pulmonary TB disease was 1518 per 100,000 population. Prevalence increased with age and the trend was statistically significant (p<0.001). The prevalence of pulmonary TB was also significantly higher in males (2156/100,000) than females (933/100,000) (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that TB disease remains a major public health problem in the Saharia 'primitive' tribal community of Madhya Pradesh, Central India.